Edward L. Ryerson may leave today

Sometime this morning, 3 salt water ships will be through the Soo Locks and on their way to the Twin Ports. They will all arrive on Sunday, just about the same time in April that the first saltie has arrived for the last several years. Last year, the Gadwall started us off, arriving on April 10th, but the next, and last one of the month, the Rebecca, didn’t get here until the 29th. In 2007, the Rebecca started off the season, arriving on April 11th. It was followed by 8 more ships in April. So in a predicted slow year for shipping, the salt water traffic is starting fast. Inside tip: the Federal Welland will be first in, coming under the bridge at 9:37, Sunday morning. Today, the very red Atlantic Erie will be here this afternoon to load coal and the Edward L. Ryerson, seen above arriving by way of the Superior entry in August, 2006 and often called the prettiest boat on the Great Lakes, should be departing the Duluth entry with iron ore pellets sometime this evening.